Quail Dunes hosts new disc golf course for High Plains Challenge

Professional and amateurs to play three courses over the weekend

Camilo Moncada of Golden putts towards the basket on hole 16 of the new disc golf course at Quail Dunes Golf Course for the High Plains Challenge on Friday, June 15, 2018. (Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times)

The High Plains Challenge disc golf tournament kicked off Friday in Fort Morgan. Roughly 180 professional and amateur disc golfers came to Morgan County for this year's event.

There would be a new twist for everyone taking part in it this year.

Friday saw the debut of a new disc golf course set up along Quail Dunes Golf Course. This marked the first year the tournament will have three disc golf courses that each competitor will play over the three-day event.

Disc golfers in the intermediate and recreation divisions were the first to try out the new course at Quail Dunes on Friday for the first round.

"I enjoyed this course here today," Christian Ameling of Denver said. "The course was in great shape. The grass was green and it was well watered and maintained. I didn't find anything wrong with it."

The front nine of the golf course was lined up with 18 disc golf baskets across the side of the fairways and greens. Each course played through different elevation changes and forced many drives and approach shots to the basket to maneuver around the trees that are laid out with the course.

"The difference between this course and most other golf courses converted to disc golf is that they use the trees," Brandon Nelon of Littleton said. "For most golf courses, the trees are off to the side of the fairway, so it's bomber (shot) after bomber. With this course, you have to utilize some of the technical part of it."

By implementing the competitors to work around the course layout, every shot, disc and skill came into play.

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Some of the disc golfers were able to come up on Wednesday or Thursday for the chance to play a practice round and get a feel for the new course. Others, like Heath Michael of Denver, played it for the first time when they stepped on the course for their first round at Quail Dunes.

Without knowing the course first hand, Michael said he took a hole-by-hole approach to take it in as best as he could.

Jeff Jones of Aurora tees off on hole 7 of the new disc golf course set up at Quail Dunes Golf Course in Fort Morgan for the High Plains Challenge on Friday, June 15, 2018. (Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times)

"There are really two sides to it," Michael said. "You don't really have any expectations, so you don't step up to the course thinking of what you've shot on the hole before and put that extra pressure on yourself. But there is something about knowing your disc selection or what line you will take. I didn't get that opportunity, but I would love to play it again."

With the new format, disc golfers were able to complete their round in a timely fashion. The players at Quail Dunes teed off around 8 a.m. and were finished before noon on Friday. Those playing at Riverside Park on the Optimist and Pessimist courses were also done around the early afternoon. Improving the pace of play was one of the benefits that John Bird, the Tournament Director for the High Plains Challenge, thought the third course would bring.

Those that played in the High Plains Challenge the last few years approved of the faster pace of play and how quick they were able to complete their first rounds on Friday.

"The pace was awesome today," Nelon said. "Getting done in two and a half hours is something that doesn't happen at any tournament. I'm going to enjoy my time with my friends and camaraderie. You only get to see these people here at the tournaments, so it's great to have that time with them."

Many also spoke about keeping the format of the tournament the same moving forward and to use all three courses.

"I hope they continue to host us here in future years," Michael said.

The High Plains Challenge continues over the weekend with the second round on Saturday and the third round on Sunday. All three courses at Riverside Park and Quail Dunes will be utilized during the weekend.

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